India, July 31 -- The expenses of the government's flagship project for national highways, Bharatmala Pariyojana (BMP) Phase-I, have already exceeded the estimated costs by 40% ( Rs.2.18 lakh crore), union minister for transport and highways Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday.

The project - initially proposed to be completed by 2022 - has seen only 76% (26,425 km) of the roads being tendered to contractors and 60% (20,770 km) of the roads completed so far, Gadkari said while replying to a question raised by Congress lawmaker Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy from Telangana's Khammam in the Lok Sabha.

He added that issues related to land acquisition, delays in pre-construction activities, financial difficulties faced by contractors, force majeure e...